WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD MEN GONE?

Acts 11:24 a

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.

Where have all the good men, like Barnabas gone? 

When I think about good men, I can't help but think about my dad, Kermit Cleveland Brackett (Babe) he was a good man. We lost dad on this day, April 10, 2007 (17 years ago) yet it seems like only yesterday. I was thinking about him on my way to the office this morning and figured it was a good time to write something about him on my blog.

I always remember Dad as a humble and quiet man who went out of his way to help others. He repaired lawnmowers and when someone came to pick it up they would ask dad how much they owed him and he would often say five dollars. Keep in mind that dad never had much but I've never seen him try to take advantage of anyone.

When I look back, I have a hard time understanding how he was able to do all that he did with so little. There are little vignettes embedded in my memory of so many different times in my life where he manged to glue, staple, or tape things together just so they would last a little longer. He was a hard worker and lived by meager means yet somehow, he always managed to provide for us. 

He followed the advice of President Theodore Roosevelt - “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” 

Being a good man was just dad's nature, I can't remember him being any other way. He set a great example for me in how he treated others, especially mom. We lost a good man when dad passed and I sure do miss him. I can't hardly wait to see him again!

DON'T LET THE DEVIL STEAL YOUR WORSHIP

Worship is to the soul what rain is to the parched land. When we worship, it’s like rain on the dry ground and water to the thirsty. Worship makes us spiritually strong and without it we become weak and anemic. It’s no wonder Satan tries to steal our worship away from God. We sing the little chorus: “We have come into His house and gathered in His name to worship Him”.  That’s the way it should be but often it’s not. Worship doesn’t just happen; we can’t just show up for church and think that worship will take place while our minds are somewhere else. We have an adversary that will do everything that he can to steal our worship to God. 

 John Wesley conducted an open-air meeting in a little village in Cornwall two hundred years ago. He said, "I preached Christ our 'wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' I could not conclude till it was so dark that we could scarce see one another. And there was on all sides the deepest attention: none speaking, stirring, or scarce looking aside. Surely here, though in a temple not made with hands, was God worshiped in the beauty of holiness." 

 On the day of Pentecost, they were all in ONE PLACE and in one accord. We have a hard time getting everyone in one place because people are all over the place! Pastors are trying everything to get people to church... Drive-by, drive thru and drive in churches where you don't have to get out of your car. Drive-by prayers and blessings, a "fast-food" service. Early services for those who want to hurry and get it over with and then go on about their business. Later services for those that want to sleep late. Contemporary services for the young and traditional services for the old. Fluff Services, an hour of singing a ten-minute devotional. Media Church, which is great for shut-ins, but it will never take the place of assembling in the house of God if you are able. When you are in need of a pastor, those you watch on TV aren’t going to help you. 

 There is no substitute for church! There’s healing in the house of God; there’s balm in Gilead. God has given you the local assembly and there's no substitute for it! Some claim that they can get close to God on a deer stand, on the golf course or at the lake fishing, but don't kid yourself! Get yourself to the house of God and worship with fellow believers because it's not just about you. 

 Shortly after Scott Hamilton won the gold metal as an Olympic skater, he said, “Someone asked me why I was looking at the metal so intently. What I was doing was looking at 16 years of my life.” 

 We’ve got too much invested in this race to quit now! Too many years and too many miles behind us to give up now! Don’t let Satan steal your worship or your crown.

IT'S DARK, BUT MORNING'S COMING!

In less than a week, the cry of “Hosanna” turned to “Crucify Him”, and less than a week the people chose Barabbas, a murderer and thief over Jesus Christ.

There was darkness settling over the land just as there’s darkness today with:

• Babies Sadistically Aborted
• Widespread Suicide 
• Murder Commonplace 
• Divorce Prevalent 
• Disease Worldwide 
• Perversion Applauded

Many today are dealing with the aftereffects of abuse, divorce, a life-threatening disease, or depression. Some are suffering from the grief of recently losing a family member. 

This is a very dark hour, not only in our nation but in the world. The hatred toward Christianity is unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times. 

1 John 3:13 

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 

That hatred is coming out of the darkness and out of the pits of hell as Jesus warned… 

John 15:18 

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 

The world hates a child of God because the Christian message is not a message of inclusivism; it is not a message of relativity. It is an exclusive and absolute message. It is not a broad message but a narrow message. It is not a broad way but a narrow way! And that makes people angry; especially in a day when there is a cry for tolerance and acceptance. 

The Bible does not offer an alternate lifestyle or another way; Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY! 

It’s not so much a "war on Christianity" as it is rebellion against God. It is a hatred toward anything that points to God or His Son Jesus and that includes Christians. 

The world is dark, and politicians and terrorists have become ambassadors of evil. It is dark and getting darker every day. Jesus warned in John 9:4 “Night is coming!” 

Psalm 30:5 b 5 Weeping may endure for a night. 

And what a night it is! A night of darkness represents weeping and there is so much weeping as the shadows of darkness covers the globe. 

Isaiah 21:11 

11 Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 

We ask when will this long night be over? 

I’ve seen families sitting under a tent at the graveyard who looked like they had just lost everything. That’s pretty much how the disciples felt when Jesus was crucified, death is such a dark valley. 

But the Gospel is Good News, and the good news is that “It’s dark, but morning’s coming!” 

The darkest hour in human history happened almost 2000 years ago. An angry mob led by Judas Iscariot, came in the darkness with swords, spears, sticks and torches to arrest Jesus. It was in the darkness of midnight when Jesus was bound and taken into custody like a common criminal. But He had committed no crimes, in fact He had just finished praying. He prayed so earnestly and so fervently until His sweat became as great drops of blood. 

They held a “mock” trial at night for Jesus, which was illegal. He suffered abuse at the hands of the soldiers; when Jesus wouldn’t answer their questions, they hit Him in the mouth. They blindfolded Him and slapped Him in the face as they cursed and swore at Him. 

Psalm 35:15 b 

15 The abjects gathered themselves together against me…they did tear me, and ceased not. 

They spit in His face, showing their disrespect and contempt for Him. The spittle ran down His face and beard. They mocked Him, beat Him, and plucked out His beard. 

Isaiah 50:6 

6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 

They stripped Him of His clothes and tied Him to a whipping post where a soldier beat Jesus within an inch of his life. Every time the whip cracked; pieces of flesh, some the size of the palms of your hands, tore from His body. His precious blood splattered on the stone walls and on the pavement. 

Josephus said He was beaten so badly until His eyes lay in the cup of His cheekbones. 

Psalm 129:3 

3 The plowers plowed upon my back, they made long their furrows. 

Isaiah 53:5 

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

They beat Him until He was hardly recognizable. His bones were out of joint, and He was poured out like water. His heart was like wax melted in the midst of His bowels. His strength was dried up like a potsherd. His tongue clave to His jaws. The bulls of Bashan gaped upon Him and surrounded Him.

They wrapped a purple robe around His bloody body. A crown of thorns was pressed down on His head until blood poured down into His ears, eyes, and face. They hit Him over and over again with a reed fulfilling prophecy of… 

Micah 5:1 

1 They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 

The soldiers tore off the robe that had become glued to his back where the blood had coagulated. Calvary was a place of execution; called the skull. It was where criminals, slaves, felons, insurgents were executed. Death by crucifixion was a horrible way to die. It was invented by the Persians and perfected by Romans. Crucifixion was the greatest shame, humiliation, and disgrace anyone could experience. 

Galatians 3:13 

13 Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. 

Jewish historian Josephus had witnessed many crucifixions, he called it: "The most wretched of deaths." It was a lingering death; some suffered on a cross for days before they died. 

Philippians 2:8 8 Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

They stretched Jesus out on the cross and nailed His hands and feet with nails that resembled railroad spikes but much sharper. Those hands that touched blind eyes, and those feet that had walked upon the water. 

Psalm 22:16 

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 

Jesus hung on the cross for six hours. He endured the jeers and taunts of the people who were wagging their heads. 

Luke 23:44-45

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 

45 And the sun was darkened. 

It was the darkest day in the history of mankind. The sun pulled a veil over her face and the moon, and the stars could not shine. The One who had hung the sun, moon and stars was dying and it became as dark as midnight. 

Something horrible was happening! 

• So horrible that noonday became as midnight. 
• So horrible until all the disciples ran and hid.
• So horrible that the Father had to look away. 
• So horrible that Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 

It was the darkest day in the history of the world! 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

The body of Jesus was removed from the cross, prepared for burial, and placed in a dark tomb that was sealed shut with a large stone. The tomb was completely dark. The first Easter started out dark and gloomy as the Lord Jesus lay dead in a dark tomb. 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming!

It was early Sunday morning; so early it was still dark! The women went to the tomb with heavy hearts and was surprised to find the stone rolled away. Not only that but the tomb was empty, the dead body of Jesus was not there!

The tomb was empty but two men in shining garments, which were angels, said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 

6 He is not here, but is risen: 

They were not expecting to find an empty tomb! They were not expecting to see angels! They were not expecting to see Jesus alive! BUT that’s what Easter is all about! Easter brings hope! Easter morning gives us the courage and hope to endure the darkness.  

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

It was in the early morning when the Son of God rose from the grave. Jesus made Easter morning a time of total victory over the darkness. 

Psalm 30:5 b 

5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

It will be Easter morning for all eternity! Easter is not just about victory in death, it is about victory in life. The tomb is still empty!

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,


It doesn’t matter what has happened in the past and it doesn’t matter that you have weaknesses or even that you have failed!

It is only when you begin to recognize your weaknesses that you begin to get stronger.

God is not finished with you yet!

When Paul was despairing for his life he realized that God still had work for him to do; there were more sermons to preach, more books to write and much more ministry to perform.

Sometimes our weaknesses can be our greatest assets!

A man walked into the First Christian Church and told them that he was not a beggar but that he didn’t have a job but needed some money and that he was willing to work.
They put him to work mowing the grass along with a few other things.
They decided to hire him as a janitor and asked him to fill out some papers. He said that he couldn’t read or write; so they didn’t hire him but they paid him for his work.

He didn’t give up; he took the money, bought some fruit and set up a fruit stand on the side of the road.
With his profit he bought more fruit until his business became very profitable.
After several years he had made a million dollars.
He went to the bank to open an account and the banker told him to fill out some forms.
He said that he couldn’t read or write.
The banker said, “Do you realize what you could be today if you were literate?

The man said, “Yes, I would be the janitor of the First Christian Church.”

You might feel inadequate but you are just the candidate that God is looking for!
God loves to take the foolish and confound the wise!
He loves to take that which is ordinary and turn into something extraordinary.

When you feel like giving up or throwing in the towel and when you feel like what’s the use; then remember that Jesus didn’t give up!
He didn’t throw in the towel!
He didn’t feel like His work was in vain!

We have been given a window of opportunity and we need to take advantage of it.
Forget those things that are behind and press on.
Reach, take hold of, and pursue the things of God.
Let’s give God our best and our all in 2016!

"THINK & THANK"

It has become rather easy for us to pass through Thanksgiving to focus our attention on Christmas rather than to grasp the real significance of it. Real Thanksgiving is a declaration of faith as we recognize the greatness of God. It is very clear in the Word of God that gratitude is at the very heartbeat of the life of the child of God. It doesn’t matter if you are reading the Old Testament or the New, we are constantly confronted with words of gratitude and praise.

When Mark Twain was at the peak of his writing career, it is said that his magazine and journal articles were worth $ 5 a word, which was a great sum of money in those days. A young Harvard graduate student sent Mark Twain a letter:

“Dear Mr. Twain: Enclosed please find $ 5. Please send me your best word”
A few days later, the student received a telegram with this single word response: “Thanks!”

It might be that “thanks” is the most valuable word in any language.

It is so easy to complain! If we get a little frustrated or irritated then we start to complain.I would say that the average person spends more time complaining than being thankful.
Complaining is counter-productive! Complaining will raise your blood pressure, make you look bad in front of others and for the most part is a waste of energy. Complaining is a lot like worry, it is a waste of time.

A famous stress researcher claims that two attitudes more than any other influences the quality of everyday life. The two emotions determine your peace of mind, feelings of insecurity, frustration and whether or not we will be a success in life. He says that the most destructive emotion is “revenge” but the one emotion that affects us more than any other in the reduction of stress is the feeling of gratitude.

Thanksgiving is so productive because it makes us forget our problems. It causes us to focus on the good things and positive things instead of negative things.

The word think and thank comes from the same root word. If we would spend more time thinking about the goodness of God then we would be more thankful. It’s impossible to be anxious and thankful at the same time.

I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”

NARCISSUS SYNDROME

2 Timothy 3:1-2

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves...

These are the last days in which the Apostle Paul warned of danger; one of the greatest dangers that he lists in 2 Timothy 3 is the fact that men/women will be lovers of their own selves.

Benjamin Franklin said, "He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals." It is also called narcissism from Greek mythology. A young man named "Narcissus" fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring and pined away.

Narcissism is an egotistical preoccupation with self, personal preferences, aspirations, needs, success, and how he/she is perceived by others. It is a person that is totally absorbed in self and the center of his/her own universe.

Someone with the narcissus personality will be your friend and keep you close as long as you are useful. Once you do not have anything more to offer and they have taken all they want from you, you are history. You are no longer desired, wanted, or sought.

Self-love is the dominant characteristic of the last days and is evident by greedy, covetous and arrogant attitudes that are so prevalent in society today.

What has happened to true affection? Unnatural affection and perversion are embraced and even applauded by the world today.

These last days have brought times of great stress and duress; days of difficulty. It gives us an idea of the kind of seasons that the church can expect in the days ahead; they will be painful, perilous, hard to endure and hard to cope with.

We need to be prepared for the change in behavior we will encounter; friends and even family members will betray one another. People that you think are your friends today will be your enemies tomorrow!

Paul says to begin with; the reason why, is because men/women will be lovers of their own selves.

It is men/women who are responsible for the frightening times that the church has to face. Evil men/women who are under Satan's influence and deception; men/women whose behavior is self-centered, immoral and hostile toward God.

Self-centered, selfish and proud individuals who will spread evil and heresy throughout the church bringing division and strife. Jude warned that they have crept in unawares into the church in these last days.

In order to counteract the spirit of this age; we must fall totally in love with Jesus Christ! That's the cure and the antidote for the "Narcissus Syndrome". We must love God more than life itself:

Mark 12:30

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

Let me challenge you to go after God and to love Him with all that is in you. Give Him your best and give Him your all!

BETRAYAL!

"Et tu Brute, then fall Caesar"; a Latin phrase meaning "Even you, Brutus?".
These most famous words in English literature speak of the betrayal of a friend. Julius Caesar lamented that his close friend Brutus was stabbing him leaving him without hope.

We expect our friends and family to stand by us through thick and thin. If we can't count on our friends and family to pull us through hard times then who can we count on?

Do you realize that the only people that can betray us are those who are close to us? Jesus said in:

Luke 21:16 "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death."

Notice that He doesn't say anything about enemies; it's family and friends, the ones closest to us. It's people that have inside information and knowledge. It's people that we have let down our guard with and been vulnerable to. People with whom we have shared our life's stories, secrets and sorrows.

That's what makes betrayal so painful; you never see it coming! But even if you could see it coming it would be no less painful.

Don't forget that Jesus experienced betrayal by one of His chosen disciples. During the ministry of Jesus, Judas Iscariot was working behind His back to betray Him. Judas was an eyewitness to the miracles that Jesus performed and he not only partook of communion but allowed Jesus to wash his feet.

The betrayer has the ability to smile in your face while stabbing you in the back; without blinking an eye.

I have learned that when someone tells you that they've got your back they may possibly mean that they have put a bull eyes on your back. They've got your back ready for target practice.

How is that possible? How can we get to such a place to where we will betray someone even to death?

Psalm 55:12-14

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

One of the greatest trials we can go through and one of the greatest hurts is when someone you really love, a friend or a family member betrays you.

Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."

Sometimes our friends can hurt us very deeply. David said, "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords".

A betrayer is often the same person you go to church with; how sad and disappointing it is when church members, people we fellowship with in the house of God, turn against us and hurt us.

David prayed and said, "Lord, you are the only One who can take care of this. I don't understand it. I'm not going to return evil for evil. I'm just going to leave it with You."

If we really want to be like Jesus we will be a friend who blesses instead of betrays. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Betrayal hurts deeply; its never justified and you never feel exonerated. How we respond to betrayal is a true test of our faith. When others do their worst towards us then the only righteous recourse we have is to leave it with God.

Matthew 24:10 "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."

Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."